Man sentenced to decades in prison for 2024 Topeka killing
TOPEKA (KSNT) - A Shawnee County judge sentenced a man on Thursday to nearly 40 years in prison in connection to a 2024 killing.
Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced in a press release on Nov. 6 that a judge has sentenced Demetris Gadson to 467 months, or just under 39 years, in prison. This is in connection to the killing of Dedra Simmons last year. Gadson pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree on Aug. 14, 2025.
Police were called around 6 a.m. on Friday, July 19 to the 1300 block of Southwest Western Ave. regarding an aggravated battery incident. Police found one person, later identified as Simmons, suffering from life-threatening injuries at the scene.
First responders transported Simmons to a local hospital for treatment where she later passed away. Officers took Gadson into custody in connection to the incident. Kagay filed charges against him on July 24, 2024.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf